The removal of Paraloid® coatings with aqueous based formulations. Practical case in frescoes from els Munts Roman villa (Catalonia)

Main Article Content

Aleix Barberà Giné
University of Lleida, Art History Department
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9143-8478
Silvia Marín Ortega
Escola Superior de Conservació i Restauració de Béns Culturals de Catalunya, Conservation Department
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1844-4913
Pere Rovira Pons
Center for the Restoration of Cultural Assets of Catalonia, Wall Paintings Department
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2231-1307

Abstract

This is the report of a practical case regarding the removal of Paraloid® B72 coatings from Roman frescoes. During the archaeological excavation, the paintings had been consolidated with the application of cotton gauze with an acrylic resin. The article presents the results regarding the effectiveness of the removal of the acrylic resin and the analytical assessment of the possible presence of residues on the work of art. The removal of the acrylic resin was carried out with an aqueous gelled system emulsified with only 10% solvent. The selection of the solvent phase presents fewer toxic alternatives to traditional solvents.

Keywords: Wall paintings, Emulsions, Gels, Cleaning, Green conservation, Paraloid®, Rhodiasolv® Iris

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